Newark's mayor is taking steps to make the school enrollment process smoother after problems last year.

NEWARK - Newark's mayor is taking steps to make the school enrollment process smoother after problems last year.

Many parents complained last fall that the new "One Newark" enrollment system was overwhelmed, causing families to be turned away initially. They also said some children were assigned to schools far from home.

Mayor Ras Baraka said Wednesday the city will open five support centers to help with enrollments. He said they would be directed at families whose children weren't enrolled yet or who had special needs.

But the mayor says he expects families dissatisfied with their assignments to show up as well.

Baraka reiterated his hope that Newark will regain control of its schools from the state in a year to 18 months.